Heavy rains cause flash flooding in western Ohio

Published: May 22, 2014 5:55 AM

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- Heavy rain led to flash flooding in western Ohio that shut down parts of the two interstate highways and other roads throughout the region.

Storms that moved through the Dayton area Wednesday evening closed parts of Interstate 70 and Interstate 75 for hours. The flooded highways trapped motorists in their cars and kept emergency crews busy into the early hours of Thursday.

WHIO-TV in Dayton says Ohio Department of Transportation traffic cameras showed frustrated drivers turning around and driving in the wrong direction on Interstate 70 to find another route. Other motorists could be seen leaving their cars and walking on the highway.

Fire officials said a swollen creek that spilled over a retaining wall caused the I-70 flooding.